Contact

Anna R. Yum

Law Offices of Anna R. Yum

501 W. Broadway, Suite 1660

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 233-4433

www.annayumlaw.com

Anna Yum’s Fight Against Workplace Sexual Harassment

With a background in criminal law and a focus on victim advocacy, Anna R. Yum blends civil and criminal expertise to achieve justice for those in need.

Growing her firm from solo practitioner to boutique status during the past ten years, Anna R. Yum, Founder of the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum, built a formidable reputation as a top criminal defense lawyer and as an advocate for victims of sexual harassment and assault.

Drawing on her experience as a former DA in the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office sex crimes unit, Yum found a natural transition into representing victims of sexual harassment in civil cases. 

Criminal law has been Yum’s primary focus for 18 years, but for the last ten plus years, she has been increasing her workload into more sexual harassment cases. “I enjoy working for women who have been sexually assaulted or harassed in the workplace, especially since I’ve worked with so many clients who were fearful of losing their job if they brought forward a case.” Many of these clients have a fear that no one will believe them. Often the victims are single mothers with bills to pay and children to raise who fear losing their jobs if they make a complaint. 

“I’ve always been dedicated to fighting for justice, whether in a criminal or civil courtroom. Helping women stand up to their harassers is just another way I can make a difference,” she says.

Yum has handled numerous high-profile civil cases, recovering millions for her clients. One case involved two women who worked at a company where a supervisor created a hostile work environment, sexually assaulting one and engaging in unwanted and inappropriate sexual behavior with the other. Yum’s dedicated advocacy led to a settlement that held the perpetrator accountable and also empowered her clients to move forward in their personal and professional lives.

“Fighting for these women gives them the courage to say, ‘This isn’t okay,’ and to take back control of their futures. It’s about more than just the money—it’s about restoring their sense of dignity and ensuring their voices are heard,” Yum says.

Continuing to Defend Those Who Need it Most

“There’s a difference between paper law and trial law. One of the real advantages we offer is the extensive trial experience my attorneys and I have. We know our way around the courtroom. We do our best for our clients, and we deliver excellent results,” she says.

Criminal law was always exciting for her because she had always wanted to be in the courtroom. In law school she excelled in oral advocacy and mock trial and even then knew she didn’t want to wait five years to see the inside of a courtroom. Yum made a very conscious decision to work for the government right out of law school because she knew that’s where a young attorney could get the most trial experience. One of her professors said that if a student wanted to be a trial lawyer, he should work for the government as a public servant because that’s where someone truly gets to understand the variety of cases he will face. That proved to be good advice. “In criminal law we’re not fighting over money; we’re fighting for people’s lives. Their future and their lives. I didn’t take it lightly. When you’re a DA the defendant is a name on a piece of paper, but in criminal defense you’re focusing on people’s lives. It’s a lot more personal,” she says.

“During the most terrifying time of my life, when I found myself facing 31 felonies with no prior involvement with the law… Anna Yum is not just a brilliant legal mind but also a compassionate and caring individual. She took on my case with dedication and professionalism, treating me not as just another client, but as a person in need of help... Throughout the process, Anna worked tirelessly on my behalf, investing countless hours to secure the best possible outcome. Her expertise and unwavering commitment led to a remarkable result: from facing 31 felonies, I ended up with a single misdemeanor charge, no contest, and no jail time. It felt nothing short of a miracle.” ­—Lilly Nunez

Even with the growth of her civil practice, Yum remains deeply committed to criminal defense. Her firm continues to represent individual persons facing serious criminal charges with the same passion and expertise that has defined her career. “Criminal defense will always be a cornerstone of our practice. We’re still fighting for people’s futures every day,” she says.

Her background as a former prosecutor gives Yum and her team a unique edge in the courtroom, where they defend clients against charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. One case stands out: a young medical student facing felony charges that threatened his entire future. Yum was able to secure a complete dismissal, allowing him to continue his education and become a licensed physician.

“Our criminal defense clients know that we fight as hard as ever for them. We understand what’s at stake—people’s lives, careers, and families.”

For example, Attorney Logan Noblin and Attorney Russell Babcock (a former employee who is now on his own) recently secured a not guilty verdict on a child molestation trial. The firm’s client was facing life in prison if convicted. There were very salacious allegations concerning child molestation from the client’s wife. There were some significant issues in the case concerning the credibility of the child’s mother/client’s wife, as well as an absence of DNA. After a two-week trial, the jury acquitted him and he was reunited with his family.

These types of cases appeal emotionally as well as rationally because she is a working parent. Yum understands how much work is involved in juggling mom duties while still trying to earn a decent living, hold a job in a turbulent economy and advance in a chosen career. “It’s so disheartening to see many clients who feel like they don’t have legal remedies (or don’t believe they have legal remedies) because there’s too much at stake and they don’t want to risk losing their jobs. It’s been truly a blessing to work on these types of cases over the years,” she says.

Management by Supervision and Delegation 

“One of my biggest challenges in the past ten years was to delegate and hire good talent. That was a real game-changer for me. That’s one of the great things that has happened – to grow as a business, but not at the expense of the client. Client satisfaction is my utmost priority.”

Yum combines supervision of her entire team with a willingness to give individual members genuine responsibility for their actions. She supervises the entire team and is in charge of the legal staff, but she created a mid-level management staff to supervise personnel in entry roles. They have roundtable meetings to discuss cases and options. She maintains an open-door policy, so attorneys frequently step in and run cases by her. An operations manager, an intake specialist and a client services specialist keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Yum places a priority on accurate and up-to-date communication with each client. “We’re very good about client communications because that’s what drives the client. In my line of work, I’m dealing with people facing the most difficult times of their lives, especially when it comes to their freedom and their future. We’re really big about customer service and client satisfaction. If there’s no communication, there’s a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship. That doesn’t happen here.”

Yum created a diverse firm that incorporates different cultures as members of the team. They have several members who are bilingual and fluent in Spanish. Yum is fluent in Korean. Also, as a minority female, she takes great pride in supporting and attending events to promote PALSD, the Korean American Bar Association and other minority-oriented organizations. She also encourages some of their Latino team members to get involved in La Raza.

Out of the Office

“Ten years ago, I had only one child and I was into running half-marathons. It’s crazy to see how much your life changes in ten years.” 

Today she still leads an active life outside of the office. Most of her hobbies these days involve picking up and dropping off her kids at their respective schools and supporting them in school sports and activities. She and her husband are raising two boys ages ten and eight. She says the time she isn’t investing in her career is invested in her family. “I want them to see that I’m kicking butt in my career and at the same time being the best mom I can be.” Yum and her husband enjoy a weekly date – just the two of them. She also continues to eat a healthy diet, work out regularly and to maintain a balance in health and wellbeing.

Yum is active in the legal community and the community at large. She participated in the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program this year to assist people with their legal needs specifically for small businesses. She is frequently invited to speak to pre-law college students at UCSD and SDSU to discuss her career and to answer their questions about pursuing a career in law. She has been called on for her legal expertise by the news media, including Fox News, HLN, CNN, Discover ID, Court TV, and Law & Crime.

One of the things she hopes to instill in her young boys, her team at The Law Offices of Anna R. Yum, and to the many students she addresses, is her passion for the law and for the people the law serves. “It sounds cliché, but helping people at the darkest moments of their lives. I’ve seen grown men cry in my office or when I’ve seen them in custody. I’ve seen people reveal their deepest, darkest secrets and feeling like there’s no hope. The biggest thing for me is giving my clients a genuine sense of hope,” she says.

Expanding While Staying True to Her Roots

While her firm has expanded its scope, Yum maintains the personal touch that has always set her practice apart. “Even as we grow, I’m still very hands-on with my criminal defense cases. My clients come to me during the most challenging moments of their lives, and it’s important that they know I’m there for them every step of the way.”

This growth into civil law has not only allowed Yum to advocate for more clients but has also enhanced her criminal defense practice by broadening her perspective. “Whether it’s in the criminal or civil courtroom, the goal is the same—protecting my clients and ensuring justice.” 

» EDUCATION

• Northwestern University, ranked 6th in the country, with a Bachelor of Science in Communications Studies and International Studies
• University of San Diego School of Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.) Judicial Externship with Senior Federal Court Judge Robert M. Takawsugi in the Central District of California

» LICENSES

• Admitted to practice law in California.
• Admitted to practice law in the United States District Court, Central District of California.
• Admitted to practice law in the United States District Court, Southern District of California.
• Admitted to practice law in Illinois

» ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Club
• San Diego County Bar Association 
• Criminal Defense Bar Association of San Diego
• San Diego Korean American Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• Consumer Attorneys of San Diego

» AWARDS

• Super Lawyers–2025
• US News & World Report–Best Lawyers
• Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer
• The Nation’s Top 1%–National Association of Distinguished Counsel
• The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
• Avvo.com Client’s Choice Award 
• Avvo.com rating of 10 out of 10 as a Top Attorney practicing Criminal Defense based upon client reviews and peer endorsements
• American Law Media (ALM) 2021 Women Leaders in Law–as published in The National Law Journal and
  The American Lawyer
• San Diego Metro Magazine Top DUI Attorneys in
  San Diego–2011

» LEGAL ANALYST/COMMENTATOR

• Fox News Channel
• Fox Business
• Discovery ID